Regarding the Prismatic Mountains, I think Brian's already addressed the question. It's a logical explanation for an otherwise very odd and hitherto unexplained event in Time of Troubles. However, we edited the article to un-mention the mountains until we decide we're sure we want them. So the Prismatic Mountains currently exist in the Schroedinger's Cat state of uncertainty, both there and not there until we look again...

quote:Originally posted by GS

Hello Richard,

I just saw that your upcoming book The Swordmage will be a hardcover version. Good for you! You are a great writer, and product designer, and you deserve being published in hardcover. Also, I'm withholding any negative judgment until I have the new FR campaign setting in my hands. That being said, the Prismatic Mountains mentioned in the new sneak peak on the Wizards web-page seems a bit over the top. I have no problems with you guys moving the the setting into high fantasy (or something), but I beg you to refrain to add something spectacular just for the sake of it (much like the monsters and prestige classes in 3E). Otherwise, keep up the good work and I am looking forward to the first book.

One question: Is the book still scheduled for a May release or has it been moved? If it has, do you know when it will be released instead?

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertSo basically, in canon, there is no reason to assume that the death of Mystra will have all that dramatic an impact on her Chosen. Since that appears to not be the case, here, I'm confused.

Well, I can certainly see how Mystra's death would have great impact upon them. Perhaps not upon the divine essence (though I can certainly see how that could work) they carry, but upon them certainly.

Further, if the fate of the Chosen isn't set in stone yet it could just be that the divine essence acts as a sort of lightning rod for the Spellplague.

I'd also assume that some Chosen would have a bit of an easier time dealing with "Weaveless magic" since they're more familiar with raw magic (in spellfire form at least) than most other beings in FR.

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertSo basically, in canon, there is no reason to assume that the death of Mystra will have all that dramatic an impact on her Chosen. Since that appears to not be the case, here, I'm confused.

Well, I can certainly see how Mystra's death would have great impact upon them. Perhaps not upon the divine essence (though I can certainly see how that could work) they carry, but upon them certainly.

Further, if the fate of the Chosen isn't set in stone yet it could just be that the divine essence acts as a sort of lightning rod for the Spellplague.

I'd also assume that some Chosen would have a bit of an easier time dealing with "Weaveless magic" since they're more familiar with raw magic (in spellfire form at least) than most other beings in FR.

Well, yeah, I can see the impact of having lost their goddess -- but only on an emotional level. As I pointed out earlier, the Chosen survived the death of their deity once, with no ill effects, and we have evidence that in the Realms, divine essence carried by a mortal remains, no matter what happens to the source of that essence.

What I'm saying is, essentially, that there is no readily apparent reason that the Chosen shouldn't be around post-Sellplague.

And as for the lightning rod idea -- the same logic would apply to areas of very strong magic, like certain mythal-protected or heavily warded cities. And yet, it's already been stated that the Sellplague flowed around those areas. So even what's already been stated would imply that the Chosen would be left relatively untouched.

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertWell, yeah, I can see the impact of having lost their goddess -- but only on an emotional level. As I pointed out earlier, the Chosen survived the death of their deity once, with no ill effects, and we have evidence that in the Realms, divine essence carried by a mortal remains, no matter what happens to the source of that essence.

Well, it's not like we've done double-blind studies or anything. I understand, and mostly agree, with what you are saying but I don't think we have a precedent of significant weight. For all we know this type of deific assassination could burn through all traces of Silver Fire in the Great Tree. (I don't find that likely, but it could easily be some type of corruption that poisons those with Silver Fire. Well, not easily, but about as easy as killing a Greater Goddess in her home.)

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertWhat I'm saying is, essentially, that there is no readily apparent reason that the Chosen shouldn't be around post-Sellplague.

Well, I came up with the above off the top of my head. I mean, I don't see why Elminster would still be around but none of the others (at least a couple survivors) but I don't know much about the events surrounding Mystra's death. Nor of the events that happen immediately after.

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertAnd as for the lightning rod idea -- the same logic would apply to areas of very strong magic, like certain mythal-protected or heavily warded cities. And yet, it's already been stated that the Sellplague flowed around those areas. So even what's already been stated would imply that the Chosen would be left relatively untouched.

I think there's a difference between holding the Silver Fire and a Mythal. I'm 99% sure but I don't know if there's some lore that states "Mythals have something to do with Silver Fire" I mean, it strains credibility, but it doesn't break it. Just think of it as a Divine Beltans Burning Blood(I hope I got that right), it's just that some of the blood is outside her "body".

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertWell, yeah, I can see the impact of having lost their goddess -- but only on an emotional level. As I pointed out earlier, the Chosen survived the death of their deity once, with no ill effects, and we have evidence that in the Realms, divine essence carried by a mortal remains, no matter what happens to the source of that essence.

Well, it's not like we've done double-blind studies or anything. I understand, and mostly agree, with what you are saying but I don't think we have a precedent of significant weight. For all we know this type of deific assassination could burn through all traces of Silver Fire in the Great Tree. (I don't find that likely, but it could easily be some type of corruption that poisons those with Silver Fire. Well, not easily, but about as easy as killing a Greater Goddess in her home.)

I think the death of Bane, and the fact that the baneliches weren't effected, is a good precedent, even if the death of Mystra 1.0 during the ToT isn't.

quote:Originally posted by ShadezofDis

I think there's a difference between holding the Silver Fire and a Mythal. I'm 99% sure but I don't know if there's some lore that states "Mythals have something to do with Silver Fire" I mean, it strains credibility, but it doesn't break it. Just think of it as a Divine Beltans Burning Blood(I hope I got that right), it's just that some of the blood is outside her "body".

Oh, I'll agree that there is a difference betwixt silver fire and mythals. But both are, in a sense, serious concentrations of magic -- which wards away the Sellplague.

Seriously, the warding away is what strains credibility for me. We have worlds merging, gods lost to the Astral, planes shifting around, and a whole mess of other changes due to the Sellplague. Most of this stuff is far beyond what any deity could do. And yet, strong concentrations of mortal magic ward away the Sellplague...

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertI think the death of Bane, and the fact that the baneliches weren't effected, is a good precedent, even if the death of Mystra 1.0 during the ToT isn't.

Well, are you talking of Bane dying in the ToT? Because that's totally different from Mystra's assassination. Since Bane was killed by Torm while in psuedo-mortal form I can see more than enough differences to make the comparison shakey at best.

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertOh, I'll agree that there is a difference betwixt silver fire and mythals. But both are, in a sense, serious concentrations of magic -- which wards away the Sellplague.

Well, mythals, as far as I understand, use the weave (which sorta makes me wonder how they survived the collapse of the weave...)

But I'll not really consider that at the moment since my Mythal knowledge is a bit sparse.

Anyhow, here's another idea on why the Chosen would be particularly messed up by Mystra's death.

Mystra is the Weave, the Weave is Mystra.Thus, Mystra's essence is the Weave.When Mystra died the Weave almost totally collapsed, it didn't totally collapse because of the Chosen (since they are, partially, the weave). However, this wasn't very helpful because the instant the Weave fell upon the Chosen they were mostly crushed by the Weave. Perhaps Azuth stepped in to rescue some of them (take Mystra's essence from them in order to save their lives) but he couldn't save them all.

It's shoddy, but that's just the result of thinking about this for a couple of days and going off memory.

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertSeriously, the warding away is what strains credibility for me. We have worlds merging, gods lost to the Astral, planes shifting around, and a whole mess of other changes due to the Sellplague. Most of this stuff is far beyond what any deity could do. And yet, strong concentrations of mortal magic ward away the Sellplague...

I understand, I mean, I'm ok with the Spellplague "dodging" strong concentrations of mortal magic but what I find pretty impossible to believe is that the concentrations would even be there. The Weave dropped and that would imply to me that enchantments sustained by the Weave would drop. Unless the "Chosen as pillars of the Weave" theory could be played with enough to be believable. But I'm not even sure I can monkey around with it enough to make sense.

Well, unless I'm mistaken, Elminster is badly wounded (nearly killed) when Sharran agents break into his tower looking for an artifact during the Cormyr/Shadowdale/Anauroch adventure path. If memory serves, he was contingencied into a demiplane/pocket dimension/whathaveyou. This may be the sole reason he survives the Spellplague, as he may not be around for it (in fairness I've never fully read the books, so for all I know he's back by the end of the 3rd book, rendering this moot).

As far as Mythals are concerned, one explanation may be that the enchantments are so tightly and carefully crafted that the chaos of the Spellplague (the mutating effects mentioned in articles, and a certain novel, hint at this being akin to the Warhammer Fantasy "Winds of Chaos" with corrupting/mutating effects) simply can't disrupt them in any noticeable or meaningful way. We also lack any detail on the condition of the various Mythals, or Evermeet, for that matter. For all we know, the Mythal-warded areas may appear unharmed because the Mythals largely burned out by countering or dampening the effects of the Spellplague.

Well, unless I'm mistaken, Elminster is badly wounded (nearly killed) when Sharran agents break into his tower looking for an artifact during the Cormyr/Shadowdale/Anauroch adventure path. If memory serves, he was contingencied into a demiplane/pocket dimension/whathaveyou. This may be the sole reason he survives the Spellplague, as he may not be around for it (in fairness I've never fully read the books, so for all I know he's back by the end of the 3rd book, rendering this moot).

As far as Mythals are concerned, one explanation may be that the enchantments are so tightly and carefully crafted that the chaos of the Spellplague (the mutating effects mentioned in articles, and a certain novel, hint at this being akin to the Warhammer Fantasy "Winds of Chaos" with corrupting/mutating effects) simply can't disrupt them in any noticeable or meaningful way. We also lack any detail on the condition of the various Mythals, or Evermeet, for that matter. For all we know, the Mythal-warded areas may appear unharmed because the Mythals largely burned out by countering or dampening the effects of the Spellplague.

It's flat-out stated that the Sellplague flowed around those areas. "Places guarded by powerful, persistent magical wards were largely unharmed; the Spellplague flowed around mythals and other such mighty enchantments." http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drfe/20080111a

And either way, we still have a magical effect that does things the gods couldn't do, and yet it is affected by mortal magic.

I expect there are still a few fey'ri skulking about in the world, but I don't think we've gotten to a monster description for them yet (and I know we haven't done a PC-playable version). So, not yet, but we haven't deliberately excised them from the setting. We just haven't talked about them yet.

quote:Originally posted by krocha

Hey Mr. Baker,

Any word on if the Fey'ri will make it into 4e and if so will they be PC playable (at least at some level, possibly like a Monster Manual PC playable race?)

One of the things I did for my Blades of the Moonsea series is fill in a lot of pretty blank history for some of the northern shore cities--Thentia, Hulburg, and Sulasspryn. I also revisited some of the lore from the old 2e Moonsea product and decided to give it a little bit of a fresh take. For example, I came up with the idea that the lich Aesperus was not a defender of Hulburg entombed under the town, as previously reported, but was instead a would-be tyrant who forged his own little kingdom in the area back around 1050 DR or so. This kingdom was known as Thentur (capital Thentia). Aesperus held the area as an ever-nastier necromancer king until the clerics of Lathander organized a rebellion against his tyrannical rule and led the people of the kingdom in deposing him. Rosestone Abbey is an old Lathanderite temple dating back to those days, now home to a small order of Amaunatorian friars. The Wailing Tower was Aesperus's final fortress, a small castle in the foothills of the Galena Mountains northeast of Hulburg.

How's that? There's more to the story in my novel Swordmage!

quote:Originally posted by Dalor Darden

Hey Rich,

Can you give us any additional information related to your "Tribes of Thar" article and the map included concerning:

I don't think so, but I think he was very badly wounded and thrown into a dimensional vortex that he might not escape for centuries. In other words, I don't have any plans to write about him again, but if someone else wanted to, I wouldn't say no...

One of the things I did for my Blades of the Moonsea series is fill in a lot of pretty blank history for some of the northern shore cities--Thentia, Hulburg, and Sulasspryn. I also revisited some of the lore from the old 2e Moonsea product and decided to give it a little bit of a fresh take. For example, I came up with the idea that the lich Aesperus was not a defender of Hulburg entombed under the town, as previously reported, but was instead a would-be tyrant who forged his own little kingdom in the area back around 1050 DR or so. This kingdom was known as Thentur (capital Thentia). Aesperus held the area as an ever-nastier necromancer king until the clerics of Lathander organized a rebellion against his tyrannical rule and led the people of the kingdom in deposing him. Rosestone Abbey is an old Lathanderite temple dating back to those days, now home to a small order of Amaunatorian friars. The Wailing Tower was Aesperus's final fortress, a small castle in the foothills of the Galena Mountains northeast of Hulburg.

How's that? There's more to the story in my novel Swordmage!

quote:Originally posted by Dalor Darden

Hey Rich,

Can you give us any additional information related to your "Tribes of Thar" article and the map included concerning:

quote:Originally posted by Wooly RupertIt's flat-out stated that the Sellplague flowed around those areas.

I think you may have serendipitously happened upon what truly ails Realms these days.Afet

That? Wooly intentionally spells it that way, I'm pretty sure.

Perhaps your right, and he does sell it that way on purpose. But if he does spell the word sell that way intentionally, his spelling the word sell is inconsistent, so that it does not appear to be an intentional selling of the word spell.Afet

Afet bint Tuzaní

"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham

He does spell it that way on purpose. It's become something of an in-joke here.

"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."--Richard Greene (letter to Time)

Great book, I enjoyed it 'muchly'. The annoying thing about reading these books is the wait for the next one. I am very curious as to how and where you are taking the characters/plot next. Swordmage is in many ways a "stand alone" book, which is also interesting. Very "whole", even if it does leave much to be explored.

as a beginning, I'd like to thank you for Swordmage. I wont judge the novel by itself nor "suck up to anyone". I just want to tell you that this novel is the first FR novel I read in English (I'm French !) and I really love it.Thanks a lot.I was also afraid of the first post-Spellplague novel but I'm reassured !

But that's not the aim of my post (I'm just hoping you'll read it !)So :About the Changelands, I saw (in Swordmage) that it was parts of (returned?) Abeir which came out of the grounds of Toril to join the both "continents"... or something like that... Did I understand in the good way ?

Thanks for reading Richard.

"Today is a good day to smile", Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.

Just wanted to say that I picked up Swordmage yesterday, and after few chapters I can't put it down. It's really top notch. I love the characters and the setting. Very recently ran a campaign in Hulburg so I was delighted to see you flesh out the city. I'll certainly be looking forward to the rest of the 'Blades of the Moonsea' series.